2-1-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR)Â American technology behemoths Google and X (formerly Twitter) have not submitted applications for the newly mandated class licence, which became effective 1 January 2025.
The regulatory framework, unveiled in mid-2024, requires social media platforms and messaging services with more than eight million Malaysian users to obtain operating licences. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reports that Google, which operates the video-sharing platform YouTube, has expressed concerns regarding the classification of its services under the new guidelines.
The regulatory body stated it has carefully considered Google’s queries and emphasised that YouTube, along with other qualifying platforms, must fulfil their obligations under the licensing framework.
X has claimed exemption from the requirements, stating its Malaysian user base falls below the eight million threshold. However, the MCMC is conducting a thorough review of these claims and maintains ongoing discussions with the platform.
In contrast, several major tech firms have already moved towards compliance. Chinese technology company Tencent, which operates WeChat, has emerged as the first platform to secure the Applications Service Provider Class licence. ByteDance’s TikTok has followed suit, whilst Telegram is approaching the final stages of certification. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has initiated the licensing process.
Non-compliant platforms face severe penalties, including potential imprisonment for up to five years and fines reaching RM500,000. Additional daily penalties of RM1,000 may apply for continued operation without proper licensing.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has assured that Malaysia does not intend to implement platform bans, acknowledging the nation’s growing significance in the global digital marketplace. However, the new framework has sparked considerable debate, with civil liberties groups expressing concerns about potential restrictions on free speech, while digital safety advocates welcome the enhanced oversight.
The tragic death of Malaysian social media personality Rajeswary Appahu in July 2024, following severe online harassment, served as a catalyst for these regulatory changes. Recent data indicates substantial user bases for major platforms in Malaysia, with TikTok leading at 28.68 million users, followed by YouTube at 24.1 million, Facebook at 22.35 million, and WeChat at 12 million users.
